Meanwhile, defendants in the underlying kidnapping are getting sent to prison.

Prosecutors said the accused abducted Au from him from his home Oct. 1, 2007, burned him with cigarettes and threatened to cut off his fingers unless he paid them $5,000.

Pongsony Patrick Kahoone, 22, pleaded to a single count of kidnapping with a gang enhancement. His brother, Perry Kahoone, 26, will get 18 years at his sentencing on July 19. A third defendant, Boonlak Phanchanh, 23, is to be sentenced Wednesday to 13 years in prison.